The problem with most natural pain remedies is that they can take a very long time to work, often weeks. When you are hurting, you don't want to wit that long.
A special extract made from hops called Perluxan is different. It’s a fast-acting, nondrug, anti-inflammatory supplement that can relieve pain from a variety of conditions. This makes it a practical alternative to medications such as ibuprofen.
Inflammation is a major reason why we experience pain. Many people reach for over-the-counter ibuprofen (in Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (in Aleve), which are classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. However, these damage the stomach lining and can cause bleeding or ulcers, particularly among people over 60.
“I would opt for a natural anti-inflammatory such as Perluxan,” says pharmacist Dave Foreman. “It doesn’t come with the side effects of a medication.”
Both Perluxan and NSAIDs reduce inflammation by inhibiting an enzyme, called COX-2, which generates inflammatory chemicals in painful areas. However, NSAIDs also inhibit another enzyme, called COX-1, which is beneficial.
COX-1 is found throughout the human body and is necessary for healthy blood clotting, but is most concentrated in the stomach, where it protects the stomach lining. By blocking it, NSAIDs create risk of stomach damage and bleeding.
Perluxan is more selective than NSAIDs, inhibiting the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme without significantly blocking beneficial COX-1. “It has very, very faint activity on COX-1,” Foreman tells Newsmax Health.
In a study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, samples of blood were taken during a nine-hour period after people took either Perluxan or ibuprofen. Both equally inhibited the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, showing effectiveness against pain.
However, Perluxan blocked the beneficial COX-1 enzyme to such a minor degree that researchers concluded: “Hops extracts may represent a safe alternative to ibuprofen for nonprescription anti-inflammation.”
Unlike drugs, Perluxan contains antioxidants. These also help to reduce pain and protect the heart and other parts of the brain from aging and disease.
In a clinical trial, Perluxan was tested on people with knee pain from osteoarthritis. One-third took a placebo while the others took either 1,000 or 2,000 mg of Perluxan daily. Subjects taking the 2,000 mg dosage reported relief within two hours. Those taking 1,000 mg reported pain relief within a day.
With both dosages, people taking Perluxan suffered progressively less pain each day. Those taking a placebo continued to suffer knee pain.
Perluxan has also been found to relieve muscle pain, fever, and headaches.
Studies show that 1,000 mg of Perluxan has a similar pain-relieving effect to 400 mg of ibuprofen, typically found in two over-the-counter ibuprofen capsules or tablets. For acute pain or to start reducing chronic pain, take 1,000 mg of Perluxan twice daily. Once pain has diminished, take 500 mg twice daily.
Although some products contain only Perluxan and clearly state the name on the front of the label, most include it in formulas with other synergistic herbs or nutrients. IbuActin is one popular formula found in many health food stores and online.
In the “Supplement Facts” on the back of products, the ingredient may be listed as Perluxan, hops with 30 percent alpha acids, or wording such as this: “Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (cones extract) (supplying 30 percent alpha and iso-alpha acids).” Alpha and iso-alpha acids are the active ingredients in Perluxan.
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